Wednesday, September 12, 2012

100: SO WHAT NOW?..

A few weeks ago, I felt that this 100th post would possibly be my last one. I started this blog as a repository for some of my thoughts and observations about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I am an active member. I have remained an anonymous writer, but I think some of my concerns are shared by other active members of the Church. It is unfortunate that we can not openly discuss our concerns with family members, friends, and our local authorities without them thinking we are going astray and questioning to much. For those reasons, my family is not aware of this blog, (with the exception of my wife). My ward, bishop and Stake President have no idea about this blog. I am not sure what they would think if they read some of the posts, but I hope the day will come when we can opening discuss these things without raising redflags... and forcing us to put a big scarlet letter A on our chest.

I realize that most of my posts are not flattering. Some people have asked me after reading some of the posts on this blog… why I stay in the Church

Well..

My answer is...

I love the Lord. I love His Gospel, and I am grateful for the Church for being the vehicle to carry forth the gospel to others. Despite the current state that it is in.. this is still His Church.

It was foreseen and foretold that we (meaning the Gentiles) would eventually reject the fullness of the Gospel. While very few see it or care to admit it, we are no different than past “chosen” generations, and due to our pride we too have became idolatrous. We worship the things we build and see with our physical eyes. We don't search and seek out using our spiritual eyes. We are blind and deaf. We have become dependent on the arm of the flesh. We seek out the things of this world. We desire acceptance. The road map to success (especially for Priesthood holders) seems to be receiving higher and higher callings within the church. We believe that those in high leadership position are the most righteous. We are latter-day, ladder-climbing Saints. Unfortunately, those who seek their own glory will fall, while those who seek to humble themselves will rise again.

So what now? What are we to do? What can we do in this awful situation we find ourselves?…

Well...Here is the answer:

WE NEED TO REPENT…

And time is drawing to a close.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REPENT?

words from a true prophet, one who crys repentance:

“To repent is to turn to Him. To turn to Him is to face Him, listen to Him, heed Him and pay attention to what He is, says, does. It is to seek to be in contact with Him. If you are in contact with Him, He will teach you all things you should do. Constant contact between you and Him can and will occupy your desires, thoughts and deeds. But turning to face Him is left to you. He cannot enter where He is not invited. He may want to be a part of your life more than you want Him to. It is your choice to let Him in.

"The means to having that conversation is within your grasp. Do what you already understand is required of you. We need to ask with real intent, repenting and seeking to have His will revealed to us. Act without hypocrisy. Be willing to take upon you His wishes for you. It is the "system" He has ordained for us to come back to Him. It is not enough to hear it, or read it. It must be done. So do it."

...............

"Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;

I understand why you have remained anonymous. Unfortunately, there is a spirit of unrighteous dominion among some of the members and leaders in the Church. Some of these members and leaders are dangerously armed with an incorrect understanding of the ways of the Lord and seek to condemn the few humble followers of Christ who only want to follow their Lord and have only done what He has told them to do.

I find it is a good thing that you have done your best to warn your neighbor and raise your concerns. Your love for the Church has been felt by me. Hopefully people will have a contrite heart and a sincere desire to come unto Christ in more perfect ways as they reflect upon your messages, and repent if needed. Hopefully as they get a fresh view of things as they really are, they will seek to finely tune their sensitivity to the Spirit so they can see more clearly and recognize and comprehend the many insidious ways truth and light gets darken by false traditions and philosophies.

By the way, I do not live in Salt Lake or even in Utah for that manner, so I am not aware of how the Church Headquarters and General Authorities interact in the secular community there, so thank you for showing us a little of that. It has been very informative. I find it sad how many of Babylon's false traditions have been embraced.

Thank you for your reflections and insights, I have taken them to heart.

My friend, I will miss your posts very much. Since I am not in Utah anymore it has been a huge blessing to be able to check your blog. I read the scriptures, your blog, Denver Snuffers, John Pontius, and Mount zion, which you recommended.I hope you continue, but if not, Thank you for being up on the Wall.Samuels are needed in this latter day. Watchman

It looks clear that your "experiment" must carry on. We (those of us active LDS who see what's wrong and stay regardless) need to hear from each other, even on an anonymous level. I know it has strengthened me. Even "venting" sometimes in the comments area helps me to keep moving forward, through the tough spots. I have an especially touchy ward and stake whose leaders would not look kindly on any kind of criticism... this anonymous commenting is the only place I may speak freely... and think freely for that matter.

I would mirror the comments of everyone here. I would hope that you would continue as there appear to be many of us who see things wrong within the church, but stay, yet appreciate the insights you have provided. Additionally, it has been nice to have a place to comment without the risk of being judged as being somehow "unworthy" because we question this or that.

I think it is good to be anonymous for the sake of avoiding the praise of this world.

However, if your reasoning is couched in fear of your family, friends, leaders, etc., let me humbly remind you that we have covenanted to be a witness of Christ at all times and in all places, and sometimes that means being burned at the stake. That might be a literal stake, as it did for Abinadi, or it might mean a Stake center. If you back up everything you say and do with the scriptures and the Spirit, then you have nothing to fear. No man can do to you what God won't allow them to.

If we really trust in God and not the arm of the flesh then we ought to be acting in full faith and not couch our faith in fear of unrighteous retribution.

I leave you with this quote from Joseph Smith (all typos are in the original): ``I will endeavour to instruct you in relation to the meaning of the beasts and figures spoken of. Er (Pelatiah) Brown 6 has been the cause of this subject being now presented before you. He, is one of the wisest old heads we have among us, has been called up before the High Council on account of the beast. The old man has preached concerning the beast which was full of eyes before and behind and for this he was hauled up for trial. I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine, it looks too much like methodism and not like Latter day Saintism. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be kicked out of their church. I want the liberty of believing as I please, it feels so good not to be tramelled. It dont prove that a man is not a good man, because he errs in doctrine. The High Council undertook to censure and correct Er Brown because of his teachings in relation to the beasts, and he came to me to know what he should do about it.'' (Words of Joseph Smith, 8 April 1843)

So you will trust in the arm of flesh and not that of God? I do not keep my views secret, though I do follow Alma 12 in sharing them, and I am still a temple recommend holding active member of the Church. However, like Joseph, I know what I know, and I know God knows what I know, and if a leader refuses to allow me to retain my membership, that is the cost of discipleship. I don't think we are yet at the point where you will get ex'd for believing the truth, but it would appear many on this blog think that is the case.

PS - An institution cannot save you. Your kids need baptism and confirmation from the church. Everything else they need comes directly from God. The church cannot save them. Only their allegiance to the Savior can do that. Your "activity" in the church has nothing to do with saving your posterity. Although I don't agree with their beliefs, the fundamentalists figured out a long time ago that it was quite easy to get their kids baptized by a legal administrator in the LDS church then they would go and live what they truly believed.

If you are putting yourself up here as anonymous because you fear retribution then you are ashamed of Christ, and by his own word he is ashamed of you.

Perfect love casts out fear. No need to be afraid of the truth. It shall set you free, and you can only approach God so much without it.

Some of *us* have battled 'these things' privately for many, many years--

this doesn't mean we don't try to teach and bear witness of Jesus Christ--

what *we* do that may not be understood by some is that we are 'wise as serpents, harmless as doves'--

yes, we may be 'afraid' in the classic sense; perhaps *we* receive personal revelation to the effect that it is more important to be silent and anonymous than to create an unnecessary stir--

perhaps we have been told to be cautious (I have) and not engage the leaders of a ward/stake in confrontational ways--

I think I do more good by remaining silent about what is happening in the 'corporate church'--

and remaining in 'good standing' in the church--

so . . . you do what you feel is right; *we* will do what *we* feel is right--

peace--

I not only relate to the anonymous status of this blog 'keeper'; I appreciate it--

there is, sometimes, power in anonymity--

and most of *us* realize that the mainstream church left the teachings of Joseph Smith long ago. First, it was highly important to 'some' that Joseph Smith be connected with polygamy, which left many who did not feel good about polygamy floundering--

Judging? I am not interested in that. I am simply echoing the master's words in hopes to inspire some to follow them. As Jesus said, "for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." Remember, the truth is only unpleasant to the prideful. The meek rejoice in correction.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matthew 5:10-11)

"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26)

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)

"Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." (D&C 88:81)

"For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God." (D&C 3:7)

"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:18-20)

those verses all refer to being faithful to the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is possible to do that and still avoid excommunication. Angering the brethren by speaking out about inconsistencies and being faithful to the Savior and a testimony of Him are . . .

not the same things--

I bear my testimony of Jesus Christ whenever and wherever I can--

I know it annoys some people, but I can't be excommunicated for it--

I can be persecuted for it, and I have been--

Most of the time I bear my testimony of Jesus Christ to nonmembers; I used to add my testimony of a 'living prophet', etc.--

I don't do that anymore; I don't even bring up the church; I just bear my testimony of Jesus Christ; I find many non-LDS to be uplifted/edified by it; some even share their own--

I think we are living in very different worlds, but then I live far from what some call the "Mormon Corridor"--

I think you would be surprised at how most of the people on here do not hide their 'light'; they are just cautious with regards to the leadership of their local wards/stakes--

Thank you for your sacrifice of time and effort in obeying and also bringing to us some of the inner workings of the church and those who are in leadership. As we have moved out of Utah it has been good to have this blog to bring us current and to open our eyes to some of the inside involvement and the fallout of choices and the "honors of men" syndrome.

You have been instrumental in giving insight and helped confirm some of the concerns we had for the things we saw were abounding in the church that were bringing further condemnation and you and helped us to avoid further condemnaton personally.

Blessings to you and your family, and we will miss this blog and the pictures!!

I would also like to thank you for brining to light many issues which face the church today, especially those which take place in Utah. As we live far from Utah, it has been very informative to see various events as they have taken place this last year. My prayer is for all the saints and Heavenly Father's children, that we may all be able to receive the testimony of Christ and receive His salvation. I pray that each of us may be led by His hand daily as we find our way back to Him.

As was mentioned above, it is very nice to find like-minded people. This IS still Jesus' church, but it is not as perfect as we would like to believe. He gives us our freedom to choose, no matter what our position is. And that is a good thing. I would not want anyone to be forced to always be right or good just because of a position they are sustained to. The general leaders have a tough job. The adoration and jumping to obey every suggestion has to make humility a very tough thing. They need our prayers more than they need our honor and adoration.

If you choose to let this be your last post, I will not argue nor complain, but be grateful for the knowledge and strength and understanding I have gained from it and from the comments.

Everyone's comments have been very kind. Thank you. There is alot still left undone, and still alot more that can be said. Whether it is writing blog posts or making a comment in Gospel Doctrine class, all of us have a responsibility to stand up for truth. While I thought I would be able to take a break... I am willing to do whatever is asked of me.

We want to add our thank you for writing this blog. Every day my husband and I check for new posts here and other blogs. I has been a strength to us to know that we are not alone in our thinking and feeling, that even though this is a blog on the internet, that real people who love Christ and the gospel, who are active members like ourselves...feel the same.In a way it has been a miracle, we can see this awakening happening, it is like a wave that flows from one side of the earth to the other. Many times Andrew and I have been discussing a certain topic and the next day, You, Denver or On Mount Zion has blogged about it. We feel connected to you and others spiritually. Whatever you feel you need to do. But know we have grown and seen the error of our ways through your blog. Thank you.

I don't speak up, because I am afraid of what would happen, if I did. It's too important to me to keep my TR--

because I value so much what I do in the temple--

also, only my husband (and one of my children) and one sibling knows how I feel; I am able to talk to them; they may not spend as much time researching as I do, but they both understand and appreciate the things I send them to read--

The Lord sometimes will counsel people to disguise themselves for protection and for His own purposes. Perhaps Unknown has recieved such counsel and impressions, I do not need to know all of Unknown's dealings with the Lord and every reason why Unknown does the things they might do. I can see the Presence of the Lord in Unknown's life just by what they share.

Thank you Unknown for following the Voice of the Lord and writing what you have.

Of what value is your temple recommend if you refuse to live up to what you know to be true? Will the Lord own you? Will you attain to the real experiences we symbolize in the temple? Scripture says no (see citations above)

I have appreciated your openness in sharing your feelings and questioning of the Church. I have especially appreciated your ability to allow free speech on this blog, and not being afraid of different opinions, few blogs or sites have that courage.

But all the questioning and discussion in the world will never be answered correctly or bring real answers until we come to the realization that the LDS Church is not 'the Lord's Church' any longer. It is no longer a 'true' church.

Christ's true Church went into apostasy after the death of Joseph Smith, as it was prophesied to do by ancient BoM prophets. This shouldn't be a shock or surprise because the true Church has always gone into apostasy, usually quite soon after it is established. Members and leaders don't seem to be able to stay righteous for very long.

Joseph could see this happening to the Church in his day, he saw how most of the apostles and members were falling for wickedness and even whoredoms like polygamy. But he could not stop them for they desired wickedness more than righteousness. Thus the members lost their Prophet.

Joseph Smith never preached or practiced polygamy, despite the amount of hearsay and gross accusations against him, but there is no proof, it is all based on hearsay. Whereas we have a tremendous amount of published proof by Joseph himself while he was alive, and could defend his honor, that declares polygamy a vile abomination in every case in history, which will damn those who live it, yet it is all ignored.

Brigham Young taught his followers to lie and that it was ok, so that appears to be the reason we have so many ugly rumors and accusations about Joseph and claims of marriage to him. But those who have the Holy Spirit as their guide know that true Prophets and righteous people would never believe in, let alone live, something like polygamy.

The proven public & published accounts of Joseph's testimony and teachings against polygamy, including the scriptures he gave us, the BoM and the original D&C, are all but ignored and mostly dismissed as complete lies. by the very people who profess to believe in Joseph Smith.

It's very telling that people would rather believe horrid and vile accusations against a Prophet of God, (things they would never do to their own wife or want done to them) rather than believe the simple words coming from Joseph's own mouth and hand.

We will all be judged on who we believe, Joseph and his scriptures and testimony or those who accuse him of the very things he spent his whole life preaching against.

It is not hard to see the truth if one has the Spirit and the love of God in their hearts.

Brigham Young was a false or fallen prophet, not surprising since most of the apostles in his day also fell. But he had no authority, Priesthood, power or position to lead the Church or even stay a member of it spiritually anymore, for Joseph teachings are clear in D&C 121 how a man automatically and immediately loses his Priesthood and authority by abusing women and members, as BY so constantly did.

Those who live polygamy, or even believe in it, cannot maintain an ounce of Priesthood or the Spirit of God, or retain their membership 'spiritually' in the true Church of Christ.

Yet, despite the apostasy, as Joseph taught, the true Church still lives on in the hearts and lives of the few righteous who walk the earth, who can receive personal revelation from God and thus can be counseled and taught directly from God as to how to live the Gospel and teach their children correct truths, using the scriptures that Joseph gave us. (which doesn't include the false revelation D&C 132, which BY added years later after JS died and is completely contrary to the scriptures Joseph gave us)

Christ, Joseph and many other ancient Prophets warned the Saints to beware of false prophets in the Church in the last days, that would lead it into apostasy. Everyone has fallen for these false prophets (as Joseph warned they would) and their false doctrines and philosophies of men, except a rare few who have the Holy Spirit as their guide and who believe in the pure teachings of Jesus Christ.

Joseph, among many others, taught that the way to tell 'true' prophets from 'false' ones is by if they teach contrary revelation than what is in the scriptures. Brigham Young taught much contrary doctrine and presented contrary revelation (132), but the people refused to listen to Joseph's warnings and catch it, they allowed themselves to be easily deceived by Brigham Young and his supporters, for whoredoms like polygamy and men ruling over women, were pleasing to the men's carnal desires, as it has been throughout the history of the world among most men and societies. Men's prideful nature easily buys into the idea that men can collect and rule over women, and most women do not and did not have strong self worth and self respect back then, which Emma Smith tried to teach them to have and not fall for polygamy but to listen to Joseph instead, so Brigham Young found it very easy to deceive both men and women of his day and lead them astray. He knew what he was doing and he gloried in his power to it.

Let us not be so gullible and so easily deceived today, like those of yesterday, let us 'prove all things' and study and pray about the honest and true testimony that Joseph left us, crying from the dust, to believe him and Christ and all the ancient Prophets of the BoM. The BoM reveals the enemies of Christ.

We must come to be able to tell truth from error and devils from saints, by using the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures, as easy as telling the night from the day, or we will easily be led astray and never know it.

Christ will soon return with Joseph and re-establish his divine Church here on earth in Zion, but with only those who were not deceived by wolves in sheep's clothing and who could recognize truth from error and who didn't fall for the whoredoms and false doctrines of men and devils.

As Joseph Smith taught us, only those who have the Holy Spirit as their guide to teach them the truth of all things and things as they really are, will be ready for and worthy of Zion and Celestial Glory. (D&C 45 & 76)

While those who were deceived by the craftiness and falsehoods of men and devils will not be accepted in, for Christ will say he never knew them, because they did they did not accept and live his words and the words of his true prophet Joseph Smith, so they could 'know Christ'.

Still today, most everyone in the LDS Church today, believes Joseph Smith lied and deceived the church his whole life about polygamy. They refuse to believe his testimony, for members and leaders today also like the sound of whoredoms rather than righteousness and truth and pure love.

But one day they will have to stand accountable for accusing Joseph of the vile things he preached so strongly against his whole life. It should be no surprise that the guilty (BY) always lie and brand the innocent (JS) with what the guilty are doing themselves, so they look justified. It is Satan's age old trick, let us not fall for it too.

Saying Brigham Young or some woman claimed so, will be no defense on judgement day, for we could have had the Holy Spirit as our guide to tell us the real truth of all things, especially the truth of Joseph's words and testimony.

Anonymous....I was enjoying reading down your blog until I arrived at your comment about Brigham Young. And that is all I need to know about you sir. Brigham Young had more wisdom and the spirit of Almighty God in his little toe the you have in your whole life! Who are you to judge an anointed of God? King David, a man after God's own heart wouldn't dare harm a hair of Sauls head even though he deserved it. You show me ONE gospel principle "or not" BY changed or lived or preached that is contrary to to what ANY true prophet of God taught in the Bible or B of M even Christ himself. If you write BY off...I pray for your soul sir.

I was rebutting the "Anonymous" commenter and since neither of them make known their names, I don't know who's who, but it was the above comment that got my ire up, not the bloggers original post, it was great.

Anonymous....You say BY had no priesthood."Now brethren, I thank God I have lived to see the day that I have been enabled to give you your endowments, and I have now sealed upon your heads ALL the powers of the Aaronic AND Melchizedek Priesthoods and Apostleship, with ALL the keys and powers thereof which God has sealed upon me; And I now roll off all the labor, burden and care of this Church and Kingdom of God upon YOUR shoulders, and I now command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to round up you shoulders and bear off this Church and Kingdom of God before heaven and earth and before God, angels and men." Joseph Smith. Now sir, IF Brigham Young was an usurper and liar and false prophet like you say...then why would Joseph Smith, who talked to God face to face give BY every power and key HE (JS) was given by God and trust him to lead the church???? Could he not see that BY would make the catastrophic mistake of leading the saints to the tops of the rocky mountains and build SLC and the great Salt Lake Temple and establishing hundreds of mormon communities all over the west and go down in history as one of the greatest colonizers and leaders who ever lived! God forbid Joseph could make such a terrible mistake!!! It literally blows my mind that you have the audacity to damn all these great prophets to hell, including Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Abraham, one of only two mortals who was taken to the celestial kingdom and was shown all of Gods creations, Isaac, Jacob the father of the twelve tribes, Enoch the other great prophet who beheld all of Gods creations. Moses who talked with God face to face, King David a man after Gods own heart, Solomon the wisest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ our Savior and many others who ALL lived and practiced the awful crime you call polygamy! You sir, in my opinion are an imbecilic moron to cast judgement on men who gave their whole life in the service of God and fellow man. Men who talked with God face to face. You infer that sec 132 was given to BY....what the hell gives you that idea?D&C Sec 132; Revelation given through JOSEPH SMITH the Prophet at Nauvoo Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and EVERLASTING covenant."Verily thus saith the Lord unto YOU my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines......If you want to toss out this revelation, then just toss out the whole D&C and the Gospel and get over it buddy.

There are many great men and women as well who have gone about doing good works, in the name of God, who do not have his priesthood, though they claim to have it. It takes a giant leap of faith to realize that there are certain variables that must be met to truly have the priesthood. Righteousness is one of them. Having seen the face of Christ, the wounds in his hands and his feet and being led into the presence of the Father is another one to qualify to be an especial witness of Christ. Though these men are commendable for having sacrificed much in the name of the Church, the ear marks of being a man with the true priesthood which Joseph Smith manifested, are clearly missing. Were we to get our heads out of the corporate Zion, and understand what it takes to truly hold that hold calling and the power adjacent to it, perhaps we wouldn't go about feigning adulation to mere men and seek to hold this hold status. We have accepted so little and label it as much. There is so much more that God would have us receive, but we have been distracted children, playing with trinkets when the real treasure is ours to have. You, my brother, Desertson, manifest your lack of Christliness in your very response. May the Lord bless and open your eyes. Darkness in mind and heart are never qualifiers to bring us into the holy presence of our beloved Savior.